Top UN Agencies Concerned over Safety of Women, Children in Gaza

As hospitals get filled with civilians with war injuries, women and children are most at risk, according to UN agencies.

A Palestinian family gathers inside their damaged home, which police said was targeted in an Israeli air strike, in Gaza City.Reuters

Some top United Nations (UN) agencies have expressed concerns over the ongoing violence in Gaza, and have urged all parties concerned not to target institutions such as schools and hospitals.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) expressed its concern in a press release, about the violence conducted on women and children.

According to the report, around 45,000 women in Gaza are currently pregnant and in need of maternity care. The UNFPA estimates that 14,000 women have been displaced within the city, and are currently staying in make-shift shelters. Out of these 14,000, around 5,000 are pregnant. These 5,000 face huge risk, and need to be put under medical care immediately.

However, with the hospitals teeming with people injured by the war, and with some hospitals being bombed down, this seems to be a very difficult task. Many of the emergency maternity centres, which had earlier been set up with the help of the UNFPA, have been left unable to operate, due to the fierce conflict.

"It is critical that humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies and equipment, be given safe passage into Gaza to enable us to provide the much needed assistance to pregnant women," said Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, UNFPA.

"Pregnant women in particular. Must be allowed unhindered access to maternal health services to ensure their safety throughout their pregnancy and childbirth."

However, they have been trying to help the pregnant women by providing medicines and other such products to the hospitals in Gaza. They have also been trying to deliver hygiene and first aid kits to the affected families.

Even the United Nations Children's Fund condemned the attacks on the Beit Hanoun Elementary School. They believe that in the aggressive attacks from both parties, the innocent people, especially women and children, have been the biggest sufferers.

"Using or attacking school premises where children have taken refuge from the violence is unacceptable under any circumstances," the UNICEF said in an official statement. "UNICEF calls on parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity of children and schools."